Effect of Lead Exposure on the Status of Reticulocyte Count Indices among Workers from Lead Battery Manufacturing Plant

Mask Protection Against Lead Exposure and Its Correlation with Erythropoiesis in Automotive Body Painters at Ligu District, Semarang, Indonesia

Introduction

Automotive body painters are at risk of excessive lead exposure that may compromise their health. This study examined the protective effects of masks against lead exposure and its correlation with blood profile of automotive body painters at Ligu district, Semarang, Indonesia.

Material and Methods

This cross-sectional study included 61 painters at Ligu district, Semarang, Indonesia (mean age 45 years, 100% male). Mask use was categorized into “frequent” and “infrequent”. Blood samples were taken to measure lead exposure and haematological parameters (haemoglobin/HGB, erythrocytes/RBC, haematocrit/HCT, mean corpuscular haemoglobin/MCH, mean corpuscular volume/MCV, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration/MCHC). Effectivity of mask use against lead exposure was analysed with Fisher’s exact test, while lead exposure and haematopoietic parameters were evaluated with Pearson’s correlation tests.

Results

There were 26 automotive painters (42.6%) classified as unfrequent mask users, and all of them had high blood lead levels. Most haematopoiesis parameters were in normal range. Workers with infrequent mask use were 1.269 more likely to be exposed to lead compared to those with frequent mask use (CI 95%, 1.082–1.552). Significant associations were found between lead exposure and RBC (p=0.0, r=−0.53), HGB (p=0, r=−0.61), and HCT (p=0.00, r=−0.61). No significant correlations were observed between lead exposure and MCV, MCH, MCHC.

Conclusion

Lead exposure was significantly associated with haematological parameters RBC, HGB, and HCT, confirming the effects of prolonged exposure on blood profile. However, mask use provided significant protection against lead exposure in automotive body painters and should be an obligatory gear for workers.

Selenium Levels in Occupationally Lead Exposed Workers of Rajasthan

Occupational and environmental exposure to Lead (Pb) has profound detrimental effects on human health. The underlying mechanism of lead toxicity is not fully understood but antioxidant imbalance is suggested to be a key player in its pathogenesis. Selenium (Se) being a vital component of antioxidant system in the body, has been linked to many health benefits in humans. Selenium levels in occupationally Pb exposed individuals has not been explored in Indian setup. The aim of the present study is to find out the association of Se with blood lead levels (BLL) in occupationally Pb exposed individuals. In the present study 91 occupationally Pb exposed workers employed in handicraft and paint industries were recruited after taking informed consent. The demographic details were noted on self-generated questionnaire. The BLL and Se were measured using GFAAS (Thermofisher Scientific, Waltham, USA). Samples were run in duplicate after ensuring quality control. The mean Pb and Se levels in the study population were 5.5 ± 5.6 µg/dl (0.42-31.76 µg/dl) and 105.5 ± 23.8 µg/dl (46.4-189.6 µg/dl) respectively. BLL was significantly higher in tobacco chewers and those occupationally exposed to Pb for more than 5 years. Significantly low Se levels were observed in individuals with high BLL. Statistically significant negative linear relationship was noted between BLL and Se. The negative correlation of Se with BLL indicates the antagonistic relationship between these metals.

Assessment of Bone Turnover Biomarkers in Lead-Battery Workers with Long-Term Exposure to Lead

BACKGROUND

The major portion of lead in the body resides in skeletal system. The bone turnover affects the release of lead into the circulation from bones. The bone turnover biomarkers (BTM) in lead-battery workers with long-term exposure to lead have not been explored yet.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the BTM (formation and resorption) in lead-battery workers with long-term exposure to lead in lead-battery manufacturing plant.

METHODS

176 male lead-exposed workers and 80 matched comparison group were studied. All participants were examined for blood lead levels (BLLs), bone formation biomarkers- serum osteocalcin (OC), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP)-and bone resorption biomarkers-serum pyridinoline (PYD), deoxypyridinoline (DPYD), tartarate-resistant acid phosphatase-5b (TRACP-5b), and urinary hydroxyproline (UHYP).

RESULTS

We found a significantly higher bone formation biomarkers such as BALP (p=0.007) and bone resorption biomarkers, eg, PYD (p=0.048), TRCAP-5b (p=0.001), and UHYP (p=0.001) in lead-exposed workers. A significant (p=0.041) negative correlation (ρ ‑0.128) was noted between BLLs and OC. A significant positive correlation was noted between BLLs and TRACP-5b (ρ 0.176, p=0.005) and UHYP (ρ 0.258, p=0.004). Serum OC (p=0.040) and UHYP (p=0.015) levels changed significantly with BLL level. Bone resorption biomarkers levels- PYD, TRACP-5b, and BALP-were higher among those with higher BLLs levels. The duration of exposure was significantly associated with BALP (p=0.037), DPYD (p=0.016), TRACP-5b (p=0.001), and UHYP (p=0.002) levels.

CONCLUSION

Long-term lead exposure affects the bone turnover.

Association of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Inflammation Markers in Workers Exposed to Lead (Pb) from Pb-battery Manufacturing plant

Background:

Lead (Pb) deposits in the skeletal system on chronic exposure and releases to circulation over a period. The musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are associated with enhanced expression of inflammation. The combination of Pb-exposure and MSDs induced inflammation was not attempted.

Objective:

This study was conducted to examine the association between MSDs and inflammatory markers in workers exposed to Pb from Pb-battery plant.

Material and Methods:

In a case-control study design, the study enrolled 176 male Pb-exposed workers as study subjects and 80 healthy workers with no occupational exposure to Pb as control subjects. The Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire was used to assess the MSDs. From the blood sample, blood lead level (BLL) and High Sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) were estimated as markers of Pb-exposure and Inflammatory marker respectively. The BLL was estimated by flame atomic absorption spectrometric method and the Hs-CRP by using a diagnostic kit method.

Results:

Significantly high proportions of MSDs were noted in study subjects as compared to controls. The MSDs identified in the study subjects were at low back (33%) followed by knee (26%), shoulders (16%), neck (14%), ankle/foot (11%), wrist/hand (10%), elbows (8%), upper back (7%), and hips/thighs (5%). The significant association between Pb-exposure and MSDs among study subjects was mainly noted in low back and ankle/foot. Also, significantly high serum Hs-CRP levels were noted among study subjects with ankle/foot MSDs.

Conclusion:

Pb-exposure and inflammatory markers were significantly associated with lower limbs of MSDs.

The Customizable E-cigarette Resistance Influences Toxicological Outcomes: Lung Degeneration, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress-Induced in a Rat Model

Despite the knowledge gap regarding the risk-benefit ratio of the electronic cigarette (e-cig), its use has grown exponentially, even in teenagers. E-cig vapor contains carcinogenic compounds (eg, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein) and free radicals, especially reactive oxygen species (ROS) that cause toxicological effects, including DNA damage. The role of e-cig voltage customization on molecule generation has been reported, but the effects of the resistance on e-cig emissions and toxicity are unknown. Here, we show that the manipulation of e-cig resistance influences the carbonyls production from nonnicotine vapor and the oxidative and inflammatory status in a rat model. Fixing the voltage at the conventional 3.5 V, we observed that the amount of the selected aldehydes increased as the resistance decreased from 1.5 to 0.25 Ω. Under these conditions, we exposed Sprague Dawley rats to e-cig aerosol for 28 days, and we studied the pulmonary inflammation, oxidative stress, tissue damage, and blood homeostasis. We found a perturbation of the antioxidant and phase II enzymes, probably related to the increased ROS levels due to the enhanced xanthine oxidase and P450-linked monooxygenases. Furthermore, frames from scanning electron microscope showed a disorganization of alveolar and bronchial epithelium in 0.25 Ω group. Overall, various toxicological outcomes, widely recognized as smoke-related injuries, can potentially occur in e-cig consumers who use low-voltage and resistance device. Our study suggests that certain “tips for vaping safety” cannot be established, and encourages further independent investigations to help public health agencies in regulating the e-cig use.

Assessment of Lead Exposure and Urinary-δ-aminolevulinic Acid Levels in Male Lead Acid Battery Workers in Tamil Nadu, India

BACKGROUND

Exposure to lead (Pb) affects multiple health outcomes and physiological systems. In adults, even small increases in blood Pb levels have been associated with decreased glomerular filtration rate, increased risk of hypertension and increased incidence of essential tremor. To date, there have been few Pb-exposure assessments using the United States Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) regulations.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to assess Pb-exposure in terms of elevated blood lead levels (BLL) and urinary-δ-aminolevulinic acid (U-δ-ALA) levels of workers exposed to Pb in the lead acid battery industry in Tamil Nadu, India based on Pb exposure regulations set by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) and OSHA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

BLLs and U-δ-ALA were estimated in 449 male workers exposed to Pb across ten different job categories in a lead acid battery factory. Worker BLLs were estimated using atomic absorption spectrophotometry and U-δ-ALA was estimated using spectrophotometry.

RESULTS

The Biological Exposure Index of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (BEI-ACGIH) were used to assess Pb exposure. BLLs <30 μg/dL were found in 63.5% of workers, and 36.5% of workers had BLLs>30 μg/dL. The present study also assessed Pb exposure using OSHA regulations and found that 83.3% of workers had BLLs <40 μg/dL and 16.7% of workers had BLLs>40 μg/dL. Among these workers, 0.7% of workers had BLLs >60 μg/dL. An excessive excretion of U-δ-ALA (20-40 mg/L) was noted in pasting area workers (2.6%) followed by executives (2.2%) and assembly workers (0.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

Workers in the job categories of pasting and assembly, as well as executives, are at high risk of Pb exposure compared to other job categories. We recommend placing humidifiers on the roof and keeping a water bath closer the to plate cutting area to reduce fugitive Pb dust emissions. We recommended workers with BLLs >60 μg/dL be removed from jobs involving Pb exposure and return to work only when their BLLs are <40 μg/dL.

PARTICIPANT CONSENT

Obtained.

ETHICS APPROVAL

The study was approved by the ethics committee of the Regional Occupational Health Centre (Southern) Bengaluru, part of the National Institute of Occupational Health of India.

COMPETING INTERESTS

The authors declare no competing financial interests.